6
Cherry-mint soda.
A blend of soda, fresh cherries and mint, this cold, bubbly drink is perfect for hot summer days.
3 cups cherries, pitted
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
COMBINE cherries with sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Gently boil, mashing cherries with a potato masher, until slightly syrupy, about 20 min. Remove from heat and strain into a jar. Cool completely, then stir in lemon juice. Stir into soda water with mint leaves to taste. Refrigerate syrup in a sealed jar for up to 1 week.
Tip: Don't discard cherries! Stir 1 tbsp white vinegar and 2 tsp finely chopped chilies in adobo into mashed cherries for a sweet and spicy cherry jam. Serve on burgers.